01/05/98 - 1463

Open Letter from Bir Krishna Swami

USA (VNN) - Letter from Bir Krishna Swami 01/02/97:

Now is the time for checks and balances in our society. No full time member of ISKCON is independent whether he be sannyasa, grhasta, brahmacary, brahmacarini etc. (did I leave out anyone?).

Everyone who lives at the cost of the society should have his performance and life style reviewed by his peers.

This year we are instituting this on the GBC level. Ultimately all of our devotees should be subjected to such regular reviews.

Amongst members of the sannyasa ashrama we have some who are quite good examples, and others who need to be corrected. Who can deny that? But instead of condemning those who need correction we should put in place a mechanism by which these persons can be helped to understand their dharma.

Another point is that in many instances a sannyasi may be carrying a very heavy load of management or preaching in ISKCON, and to carry out his responsibilities he may need some facility such as a notebook computer. Personally I have a medium priced notebook computer, and to carry out the load that I have been given it is an absolute necessity. I would be only too happy (on a personal level) to give it up and just sit down and chant. It would certainly be a relief from my present lifestyle, but it would be irresponsible.

Of course there is no excuse for maintaining opulent digs (places of residence).

It is too easy to say that most sannyasis are like this or like that. Induction is not a foolproof method of arriving at a conclusion. One should state that "most sannyasis that I have met." Please be careful.

Most of the sannyasis that I have met (and I know almost 90%) of them are overworked, and are not accepting more than necessary to carry out their service.

For example I just came back from Toronto. I was visiting Bhaktimarga Maharaja. He sleeps on the floor. Cooks the Raj Bhoga 5 days a week for the deities. Is out practically every night doing preaching programs and still comes to Mongala Aroti every morning. There are many like him.

Please don't lump us in.